The legendary leader and founder of the intensely hard-rocking band Megadeth is clearly not your stereotypical heavy-metal musician by any stretch. He's also a lot more open-minded than some of his fans may anticipate.

Witness this veteran guitarist and singer's friendship with smooth-jazz saxophonist Kenny G, who performed here with the San Diego Symphony last week at Copley Symphony Hall. G gave a shout-out from the stage to Fallbrook resident Mustaine, who told us it was the first time he'd been introduced to an audience at a concert he was attending. Prior to the gig, G extended an invitation for his Megadeth pal to join him on stage. Citing a lack of ample rehearsal time, the flattered guitarist politely declined.

"He absolutely shredded!" Mustaine told us of G.

Asked to what he attributed their unlikely friendship, Mustaine smiled and replied: "Virtuosity!"

"Super Collider," the fierce new album by Megadeth, is due out June 4. It is at least the third consecutive release by this oft-Grammy Award-nominated band to be recorded at Vic's Garage, the group's secluded San Marcos recording studio.

Prior to our interview Monday afternoon, Mustaine happily played us "Kingmaker," the album's striking opening cut. Sitting side by side in front of the studio's mixing console, he and Megadeth guitarist Chris Broderick enthusiastically tapped their feet in unison to the carefully calibrated riffs, thumping beat and spiraling six-string filigrees, as Mustaine sang his charged lyrics about greed, corruption and the quest for political power.

Mustaine also chatted with us about his upcoming 2014 collaboration with the San Diego Symphony, at which he will be the featured soloist on electric guitar. He predicted fans may hear a few Megadeth favorites mixed in with classics by such composers as Wagner, Vivaldi and Dvorak, and laughed when we suggested a mash-up of Beethoven's Ninth and the Megadeth chestnut "99 Ways to Die."

Mustaine is excited at the prospect of reaching new fans through his performance here next April with the San Diego Symphony, and at the prospect of drawing Megadeth fans to an orchestral performance.

You can share your thoughts with us about Mustaine's teaming up with the San Diego Symphony in the Comments section below. While you're at it, tell us what Megadeth songs you think are most worthy of a full-on orchestral treatment, and why.

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